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Q&As since 1989


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Can I put the shine back in my putter?

I came across a putter that was plated , I believe with nickel. It looks like someone had buffed off the plating. I would like to know how I could refinish this putter. It is somewhat of a rarity in the golf circles. Is this something that I could do at home ? A friend has told me that no plating company would do the job because it is too small.

James Fraser
hobbyist - Strathroy, Ontario, Canada
2004

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It may not be impossible to nickel plate that putter at home, but it is quite impractical and somewhat hazardous, and the equipment would cost far more than the putter.

It is probable that no plating company would do the job for what you think would be a reasonable cost (say, less than the cost of a replacement putter), but there are shops that would do it if cost wasn't an object. The issue is the same as in many other fields today, mass production vs. labor cost. You can buy a pocket calculator, made by the millions, for $5 or less but no electronics shop can repair it for less than $75. You can buy a putter, made by the thousands, for less than the labor cost of replating it.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2004